Its becoming more and more obvious that the Hawks really drafted well. Just wish the early pics were closer to playing. Bode Wilde at 27 would have made me really happy. Oh well.
- mrpaulish

Agreed.

If all goes well, we basically just drafted Erik Karlsson and Tyson Barrie. Next draft we need to focus on shutdown defensemen.

What are you even talking about? What part of what you posted is “not accurate”? All of it. You are the same person who said you were going to cheer against the Hawks when they were still in the play-off race.

I explained why the Hawks had the record they did. This is not a question of not having enough players - it was a question of Clown Coaching by Q and Ulf. Just ask Rocky.

The Hawks have Kane. The Hawks have DeBrincat. The Hawks have Saad. The Hawks have Schmaltz. The Hawks have Sikura. The Hawks have another Sikura. The Hawks have Toews - the fact that Toews carries a heavy contract doesn’t mean he doesn’t contribute at all. Plus the Hawks have a load of other fast and eager forwards who can contribute. Stop pretending the Hawks have no forwards.

Your analysis of Keith and Seabrook could not be shallower. Keith is a Rover and to peak perform he needs an experienced partner to cover him. That Q and Ulf thought Oesterle was the D-Man that should partner with Keith was a huge mistake. Seabrook has babysitted for years - play Keith and Seebs together and leave them freakin’ alone. Last year both had to guard BOTH sides of the ice. What they got beat? What they look frustrated, slow, out of position? When their partners were nowhere to be seen. What a surprise. Let’s just be thankful that you have nothing to do with USA Hockey. Murphy Captain 2017, Assistant Captain 2018, at the Worlds. Just so you know these games are played on huge ice surfaces - if a player has no speed or skill they get beaten - a lot - Murphy doesn’t - you are wrong about him too.

The younger D-Men - we have not seen them in their best lights as Ulf’s System was pathetic. You really think Forsling has no talent? Really. You’re wrong again.

Do you really think the Hawks won’t do their very best to properly address the goaltending issue?

Enzo anyone can just constantly criticize EVERTHING ALL THE TIME. However, doesn’t it get boring? It will take a while but we’ll compare notes as the 2018-19 season unfolds.



- Z3Hawk[url]

Z3, usually when I read your posts, I chuckle to myself because of how different your points of view are compared to the vast majority on this board. When people are optimistic, you're pessimistic. When people are pessimistic, you're optimistic. Just constantly going against the grain, which leads to a lot of disagreements/arguments and for that I commend you.

With this post, I couldn't agree with you more. Great post. It's completely asinine for people to assume that just because everything that could have went wrong last season, we'll see a repeat of that this season if things (specifically, roster) changes aren't made.

I am so much more optimistic heading into this season than I was heading into last season, and that's with the roster intact as is.

The FOCAL issue at hand here is absolutely Q and the madness that lies within his system. It wouldn't be fair for me to simply suggest that he rode the coat tails of the insanely talented groups he had from 2010-2013. He absolutely played an integral part in getting the team to where they were. However, I felt that after what happened in 2014, it all went downhill from there. Yes, the team won it all in 2015, but I think that the core carried the team. They were thoroughly outplayed against Anaheim and Tampa Bay in my honest opinion, and Q failed to adjust. Fortunately, the 'Hawks talent outweighed the Ducks and Lightning efforts. In the ensuing years since, it's been letdown after letdown after letdown because of the madness that is known as Q's blender. Consistent juggling of lines, overthinking matchups, trying to get cute with strategy, just absolute chaos and the lack of urgency coupled with a lethargic effort in 2017 led to many believing in the 'Hawk demise. Bowman felt a need to "shake things up" thinking there was a problem with the talent on the roster, but in reality it was the systems that have consistently failed over the last couple of seasons and lack of adjustments that have led to such horrid results.

Even though the results last season were obviously disappointing, I thought that the team dominated many games. They outplayed their opponents in more games than they didn't, even if the results indicated otherwise.

I want this team to be given one more shot. Everything that could have went wrong last season did. Bounce back from even HALF the players that had down years last year would be HUGE for this team.

But first and foremost, we need Q, Ulf, Dineen, and Granato to get the message from upstairs of "win or else..." No more of this lax attitude. Accountability NEEDS to occur. Let your players develop. Let your players see consistent ice time. Let your youth take on more responsibility. Enough of the line flopping and d-pairing shuffling.

Do I think this team needs a couple of additions? Sure, of course I do. I want to see a top-four d-man added, more bottom-six firepower, and a dependable goalie should Crawford go down, but I firmly believe that the pieces are here for this team to contend next season.

Saad, Toews, Kane, DeBrincat, Schmaltz are entrenched in the top-six. I expect Saad and Toews to bounce back, and that will only help the other three out.

I expect continued growth out of the likes of Hinostroza, Sikura, and Hayden as they get more comfortable playing at the NHL level, and will be key middle-six players. Bring in a veteran for the bottom-six who can play the heavy, gritty, defensive game and can add toughness.

Saad - Toews - Hinostroza
Debrincat - Schmaltz - Kane
Hayden - Ejdsell - Sikura
Wingels/Roussel - Kampf - Martinsen/whoever

I want CONTINUITY of defensive pairings. Let Goose, Rutta, Forsling, and Murphy see EVERY DAY ice time without being sent to the press box after making mistakes. That's exactly WHY we saw the issues we did last year out of the backend. Players were too focused on NOT making mistakes rather than being comfortable and just playing the way they are capable of playing. Bring in a top-four d-man to give Keith that partner he deserves rather than having an AHL'er like Oesterle bringing Keith down.

Bring in someone like de Haan, and let Seabrook FINALLY play with Keith, regardless of age or how much they have in the tank.

Keith - Seabrook
de Haan - Murphy
Goose - Rutta
Forsling

And finally, hope and pray that Crawford can truly come back healthy, because if he is, he absolutely WILL be capable of carrying this team in time of need, and we're fortunate to have an elite goalie who DOESN'T choke when it matters most. Bring in a capable veteran back-up who can take over if Crawford goes down if you don't think Forsberg can develop his game.

This team doesn't need wholesale changes. As reiterated over and over in my post, this team just needs consistency. It needs a system that caters to the talent that the team DOES have, and less on the outdated, stubbornly implemented system that refuses to adjust.

We have the talent to win. Especially in this market where players WILL be grossly overpaid due to the increasing cap, it's especially important that Stan doesn't go crazy now that he finally is out of cap hell.

Plugging holes in is key, but blockbuster changes for the sake of them is NOT going to help as long as Q and Ulf and Dineen refuse to cater to the talent that they already have.

Agreed.

If all goes well, we basically just drafted Erik Karlsson and Tyson Barrie. Next draft we need to focus on shutdown defensemen.
- Panarin27

If nothing much happens the next 7 days or so the Blackhawks will have another top 10 pick next season.

For the right price, I think the Hawks should make a move for Faulk. A change of scenery could benefit him, and the Hawks power player needs serious help. I am tired of watching Duncan Keith back there on the PP. If the Hawks were to land Faulk and sign another defenseman in free agency, they are immediately better than they were last season.

The Athletic

8. Sweden national coach Rikard Gronborg doesn’t throw around comparisons to Erik Karlsson. So for him to say Blackhawks first-round pick Adam Boqvist has Karlsson-like qualities, you know there’s something there.

“To me, he’s an Erik Karlsson-type player,” Gronborg said by phone on Tuesday. “Believe me, I don’t like comparing players because Adam Boqvist needs to be Adam Boqvist. But I see him with that ability to play up in the attack, the ability to step up on the blue line, the quote-unquote cockiness with the puck and that same swagger.”
- Mr Ricochet

Albeit with increased risk due to concussion issues probably facilitated by being undersized and suffered in a league not close to the level of physicality of the NHL. Do you suppose the other teams are already aware of this potential vulnerability?
It's amazing he lasted to eighth.

If nothing much happens the next 7 days or so the Blackhawks will have another top 10 pick next season.
- mrpaulish

On the bright side the draft is in Vancouver next year so that would be exciting to see.

I think the Hawks will make bigger changes via the trade route versus free agency. As much as we’d all love to see a big signing (ie JvR) on Sunday I think we need to have a little patience.

Bernier would make a lot of sense. He filled in for Varlamov when he went down with his yearly injury.

Hutton would make a lot of sense. He filled in for Allen when he went through his yearly slump.

Ward would make a lot of sense. He filled in for Darling when he showed up to camp and struggled from day #1.


Tomorrow's blog will cover this. The theme being, I heard today they are looking for a veteran goalie that has stepped up from the backup role and excelled recently as they might need the same thing next year with the uncertainty of Crawford.
- Justin Lowe

There are a few decent back-up goalie options out there, Ward and Bernier would be a couple of my top selections.

It’s a shame to give up on Forsberg, Jean young and was forced into a bad situation last year because of Crawford’s injury. I know the Hawks can’t take another chance on Forsberg if Crawford goes down, it’s just too bad how things worked out.

Bernier would make a lot of sense. He filled in for Varlamov when he went down with his yearly injury.

Hutton would make a lot of sense. He filled in for Allen when he went through his yearly slump.

Ward would make a lot of sense. He filled in for Darling when he showed up to camp and struggled from day #1.


Tomorrow's blog will cover this. The theme being, I heard today they are looking for a veteran goalie that has stepped up from the backup role and excelled recently as they might need the same thing next year with the uncertainty of Crawford.
- Justin Lowe

Nobody seems to have any interest in Jaro Halak but he's the guy I'd sign if he agreed to play within their budget. With him at least you have a former starting NHL gaoler if Cro goes down again for a lengthy period of time.

Bernier is small and plays small and the past performance charts say he might give a team 4 or 5 decent starts and then its into the deep dumpster for a bunch of games. Cam Ward used to be fairly good - a helluva long time ago.

Garrett Sparks or Calvin Pickard interest me if the Leafs want to keep McIllhenny as their NHL backup. Sooner or later Sparks is going to demand an NHL opportunity. And Michael Hutchison is out there too, as is Anton Khudobin. Heck, even Kari Lehtonen is looking for a team.

Albeit with increased risk due to concussion issues probably facilitated by being undersized and suffered in a league not close to the level of physicality of the NHL. Do you suppose the other teams are already aware of this potential vulnerability?
It's amazing he lasted to eighth.
- Savoy

It's just speculation why a guy isn't taken but you can't count out the concussions with Boqvist. If I'm gonna follow the scouts I follow McKenzie's list and they ranked him the 5th best D prospect and he went 3rd, so in this case he didn't slide.

No doubt the kid is super skilled and what he lacks can be coached up. Probably the best prospect the organIzation has had since Kaner. Good health and patience no doubt the kid is an NHLer, how good we'll see in 2-3 yrs.

It's just speculation why a guy isn't taken but you can't count out the concussions with Boqvist. If I'm gonna follow the scouts I follow McKenzie's list and they ranked him the 5th best D prospect and he went 3rd, so in this case he didn't slide.

No doubt the kid is super skilled and what he lacks can be coached up. Probably the best prospect the organIzation has had since Kaner. Good health and patience no doubt the kid is an NHLer, how good we'll see in 2-3 yrs.
- Mr Ricochet

Let's not forget that he's basically a year younger than the rest of his class. If he continues to make strides, where would he have hypothetically been drafted in next year's class? Easily one of the first couple picks, as he was projected to be in this year's draft.

The 'Hawks got a steal at 8, and I'm excited to see him and the next generation of defense-men like Joker, Mitchell, Hillman, etc. continue to develop.

...and Kempny looked good lifting the Cup. Sure he thought hope Q and Ulf are watching this.
- Z3Hawk

Do you think Q was looking at STL or COL coaches when he lifted the Cup 3 times the past 9yrs?

Or maybe looking at all the armchair coaches and GMs who all know a "better way" if doing it from their couch while he produces in real life?

I will have a goalie blog tomorrow.

From what I've heard there are a lot of conversations happening right now. It's obviously a busier time than normal for the Hawks front office considering the amount of cap space and roster spots up for grabs.

They are looking at A LOT of options right now and doing their do diligence talking to a lot of agents.

Don't rule out the Faulk trade possibility as well I was told. I heard tonight that Stan might just try to wait until the last minute (July 1st is when his M-NTC kicks in) to see if Waddell goes down in price.
- Justin Lowe

Thanks just asking like i said just to quiet not only with the hawks but around the league.

Its becoming more and more obvious that the Hawks really drafted well. Just wish the early pics were closer to playing. Bode Wilde at 27 would have made me really happy. Oh well.
- mrpaulish

NO, that's not obvious and it won't be for a couple years.

For the right price, I think the Hawks should make a move for Faulk. A change of scenery could benefit him, and the Hawks power player needs serious help. I am tired of watching Duncan Keith back there on the PP. If the Hawks were to land Faulk and sign another defenseman in free agency, they are immediately better than they were last season.
- frafra

Faulk is over-rated...Carolina wants to get shed of him. That said he'd be the Hawks 2nd best D-man, which is not a good thing.

That team had Hossa with 25 goals, Keith and Hammer playing together, Campbell in the top 4, and Panarin with 70 points.
- EnzoD

Ok.

And Saad, while having a tough all around year, should be producing Hossa's 25g.

Need to replace Panarin, but Debrincat just may do that

Schmaltz is improving

Campbell was a shell of himself and I'll be stunned if Hjarllmarsson plays 82gms again in his career. I'm very curious to see what he got paid.

But by your assertion - Hossa, Panarin, Hjarll and Campbell is the difference between western conference champs and then be in last place?

And they cant get back there or are miles away? Ok then

Ok.

And Saad, while having a tough all around year, should be producing Hossa's 25g.

Need to replace Panarin, but Debrincat just may do that

Schmaltz is improving

Campbell was a shell of himself and I'll be stunned if Hjarllmarsson plays 82gms again in his career. I'm very curious to see what he got paid.

But by your assertion - Hossa, Panarin, Hjarll and Campbell is the difference between western conference champs and then be in last place?

And they cant get back there or are miles away? Ok then
- PatShart

2017 was smoke and mirrors and were exposed as such in the playoffs. It was so much on the backs of insanely good goal tending. The team really was a fraud in 2017...Nashville proved that.

Ok.

And Saad, while having a tough all around year, should be producing Hossa's 25g.

Need to replace Panarin, but Debrincat just may do that

Schmaltz is improving

Campbell was a shell of himself and I'll be stunned if Hjarllmarsson plays 82gms again in his career. I'm very curious to see what he got paid.

But by your assertion - Hossa, Panarin, Hjarll and Campbell is the difference between western conference champs and then be in last place?

And they cant get back there or are miles away? Ok then
- PatShart

The difference was Crawford. Then Hossa. Then panarin. The hammer. Campbell would’ve been the 2/3 on last year’s AHL d-squad.

2017 was smoke and mirrors and were exposed as such in the playoffs. It was so much on the backs of insanely good goal tending. The team really was a fraud in 2017...Nashville proved that.
- kwolf68

82gms, 109pts, 50 wins, won the west and it was smoke and mirrors vs a short 4gm sweep. Got it.

82 gms = fraud
4 gms = realistic/true

Ok.

And Saad, while having a tough all around year, should be producing Hossa's 25g.

Need to replace Panarin, but Debrincat just may do that

Schmaltz is improving

Campbell was a shell of himself and I'll be stunned if Hjarllmarsson plays 82gms again in his career. I'm very curious to see what he got paid.

But by your assertion - Hossa, Panarin, Hjarll and Campbell is the difference between western conference champs and then be in last place?

And they cant get back there or are miles away? Ok then
- PatShart

Schmaltz might be our number one center next year. Most takeaways, same amount of points as toews. Schmaltz is improving while Toews slides. Toews is still way better at FOs and is more trusted by Q.

Schmaltz might be our number one center next year. Most takeaways, same amount of points as toews. Schmaltz is improving while Toews slides. Toews is still way better at FOs and is more trusted by Q.
- ObeseOprah

Smaltz will never be a number 1 center doesn't play a complete 200ft game not strong enough and cannot win faceoffs or goes to the net. A 2nd line center at best but I still say IMO he would be a better all around player if he play lw in the top six and shoots the puck. His vision speed and playmaking ability is there I give him that and is still young and getting better.

On the bright side the draft is in Vancouver next year so that would be exciting to see.

I think the Hawks will make bigger changes via the trade route versus free agency. As much as we’d all love to see a big signing (ie JvR) on Sunday I think we need to have a little patience.
- DarthKane

Don't bet on it. We went last year when it was in Chicago.

It's boring to watch on tv - it's a COMPLETE snooze fest there.

And we were sitting in the first five rows - with the draftees and their families.

Z3, usually when I read your posts, I chuckle to myself because of how different your points of view are compared to the vast majority on this board. When people are optimistic, you're pessimistic. When people are pessimistic, you're optimistic. Just constantly going against the grain, which leads to a lot of disagreements/arguments and for that I commend you.

With this post, I couldn't agree with you more. Great post. It's completely asinine for people to assume that just because everything that could have went wrong last season, we'll see a repeat of that this season if things (specifically, roster) changes aren't made.

I am so much more optimistic heading into this season than I was heading into last season, and that's with the roster intact as is.

The FOCAL issue at hand here is absolutely Q and the madness that lies within his system. It wouldn't be fair for me to simply suggest that he rode the coat tails of the insanely talented groups he had from 2010-2013. He absolutely played an integral part in getting the team to where they were. However, I felt that after what happened in 2014, it all went downhill from there. Yes, the team won it all in 2015, but I think that the core carried the team. They were thoroughly outplayed against Anaheim and Tampa Bay in my honest opinion, and Q failed to adjust. Fortunately, the 'Hawks talent outweighed the Ducks and Lightning efforts. In the ensuing years since, it's been letdown after letdown after letdown because of the madness that is known as Q's blender. Consistent juggling of lines, overthinking matchups, trying to get cute with strategy, just absolute chaos and the lack of urgency coupled with a lethargic effort in 2017 led to many believing in the 'Hawk demise. Bowman felt a need to "shake things up" thinking there was a problem with the talent on the roster, but in reality it was the systems that have consistently failed over the last couple of seasons and lack of adjustments that have led to such horrid results.

Even though the results last season were obviously disappointing, I thought that the team dominated many games. They outplayed their opponents in more games than they didn't, even if the results indicated otherwise.

I want this team to be given one more shot. Everything that could have went wrong last season did. Bounce back from even HALF the players that had down years last year would be HUGE for this team.

But first and foremost, we need Q, Ulf, Dineen, and Granato to get the message from upstairs of "win or else..." No more of this lax attitude. Accountability NEEDS to occur. Let your players develop. Let your players see consistent ice time. Let your youth take on more responsibility. Enough of the line flopping and d-pairing shuffling.

Do I think this team needs a couple of additions? Sure, of course I do. I want to see a top-four d-man added, more bottom-six firepower, and a dependable goalie should Crawford go down, but I firmly believe that the pieces are here for this team to contend next season.

Saad, Toews, Kane, DeBrincat, Schmaltz are entrenched in the top-six. I expect Saad and Toews to bounce back, and that will only help the other three out.

I expect continued growth out of the likes of Hinostroza, Sikura, and Hayden as they get more comfortable playing at the NHL level, and will be key middle-six players. Bring in a veteran for the bottom-six who can play the heavy, gritty, defensive game and can add toughness.

Saad - Toews - Hinostroza
Debrincat - Schmaltz - Kane
Hayden - Ejdsell - Sikura
Wingels/Roussel - Kampf - Martinsen/whoever

I want CONTINUITY of defensive pairings. Let Goose, Rutta, Forsling, and Murphy see EVERY DAY ice time without being sent to the press box after making mistakes. That's exactly WHY we saw the issues we did last year out of the backend. Players were too focused on NOT making mistakes rather than being comfortable and just playing the way they are capable of playing. Bring in a top-four d-man to give Keith that partner he deserves rather than having an AHL'er like Oesterle bringing Keith down.

Bring in someone like de Haan, and let Seabrook FINALLY play with Keith, regardless of age or how much they have in the tank.

Keith - Seabrook
de Haan - Murphy
Goose - Rutta
Forsling

And finally, hope and pray that Crawford can truly come back healthy, because if he is, he absolutely WILL be capable of carrying this team in time of need, and we're fortunate to have an elite goalie who DOESN'T choke when it matters most. Bring in a capable veteran back-up who can take over if Crawford goes down if you don't think Forsberg can develop his game.

This team doesn't need wholesale changes. As reiterated over and over in my post, this team just needs consistency. It needs a system that caters to the talent that the team DOES have, and less on the outdated, stubbornly implemented system that refuses to adjust.

We have the talent to win. Especially in this market where players WILL be grossly overpaid due to the increasing cap, it's especially important that Stan doesn't go crazy now that he finally is out of cap hell.

Plugging holes in is key, but blockbuster changes for the sake of them is NOT going to help as long as Q and Ulf and Dineen refuse to cater to the talent that they already have.
- TommyHawk

From the 1st (top) line right on down to the bottom defensive pairing the lineup you have listed there is one of the worst in the league and definitely wouldn't make the playoffs. Our roster is below average at this point, and its beyond repair/retooling.

We need to move on from Toews, Seabrook, Crawford, etc. Possibly Kane too if the right package comes in return.

Anyone still trying to build a team around these pieces is FOOLING themselves.

From the 1st (top) line right on down to the bottom defensive pairing the lineup you have listed there is one of the worst in the league and definitely wouldn't make the playoffs. Our roster is below average at this point, and its beyond repair/retooling.

We need to move on from Toews, Seabrook, Crawford, etc. Possibly Kane too if the right package comes in return.

Anyone still trying to build a team around these pieces is FOOLING themselves.
- SimpleJack

Been saying this for weeks-although I think only Kane and Keith have value-might be stuck with Seabs and Toews who could help mentor the younger players.

I say approach those teams that missed out on JT and Karlsson and offer Kane and Keith as alternates see what we can get in terms of young players, prospects and picks. Would Tampa part with Tyler Johnson and/or Brayden Point + +++ for Kane? Does Keith help provide that vet D presence in EDM or the Peg?

Rebuilds are tough but it has to be done eventually so why not jump start it? The available FA’s we can afford gets us to a 7 seed IF all things align why not be bold and use the assets we have to build a new core?

From the 1st (top) line right on down to the bottom defensive pairing the lineup you have listed there is one of the worst in the league and definitely wouldn't make the playoffs. Our roster is below average at this point, and its beyond repair/retooling.

We need to move on from Toews, Seabrook, Crawford, etc. Possibly Kane too if the right package comes in return.

Anyone still trying to build a team around these pieces is FOOLING themselves.
- SimpleJack

While not impossible, moving any of the contracts you listed is very difficult. Kane and Toews aren’t going anywhere unless they want to. You aren’t getting rid of Seabrook unless you add a significant piece to go along, or eat 50%.

Crawford maybe, but we can’t even tell if he is going to play again. So what we need to do and what we can do are likely entirely different things.

Its becoming more and more obvious that the Hawks really drafted well. Just wish the early pics were closer to playing. Bode Wilde at 27 would have made me really happy. Oh well.
- mrpaulish

Beaudin at 27 a better choice over Wilde. Big Skill, Big Skating, Big Ceiling.